Cancer treatment depends on the cancer type, stage, location and the general health of the patient. Cancer treatment modalities include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, bone marrow transplants and laser surgery. The combination of two or more treatment modalities offers the best possible outcome for many types of cancer. Treatment for some types of cancer consists of comfort measures only.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the process of using medication to work throughout the whole body to treat the cancer. The American Cancer Society reports with more than 100 chemotherapy drugs from which to choose, a combination of drugs is most often the treatment of choice. Combination chemotherapy (using more than one chemo drug) covers a broader range of cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells that have metastasized (spread to other parts of the body). This relieves cancer symptoms, slows cancer growth and restricts the spread of the cancer. Chemotherapy is administered in a hospital, clinic, physician's office or in the home. The length and frequency of treatments depend on the type and stage of the cancer.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells in specific targeted tissue. Delivery methods of radiation to the cancer cells vary. Some cancers require deep penetration; other types are tiny and need a more refined exposure. External radiation includes treatments such as intraoperative radiation therapy given during surgery and prophylactic cranial irradiation given to the brain. Internal radiation is an implant placed in or near the tumor. Other types of cancer treatment, such as surgery or chemotherapy, may require radiation therapy as an additional modality to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Surgery
Surgery is the process of removing the cancer, or as much as possible, from the body. The success of surgical removal of a cancer depends on the size, location and the condition of the surrounding tissue. Open surgery is a process requiring an incision large enough to expose the area containing the tumor. Laser surgery directs beams of light and/or heat to destroy cancer cells. Laparoscopic surgery requires usually two or three small incisions that allow a surgical tool and tiny camera for visualization and removal of the cancer. Cryosurgery is the process of freezing cancer cells with a substance such as liquid nitrogen.
Bone Marrow Transplants
Bone marrow, located inside the bones, contains stems cells used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow. Some types of cancer require obliteration of the cancer cells by radiation or chemotherapy for the best chance of survival. When removal of the cancer cells destroys the bone marrow, the bone marrow requires replacement. Bone marrow harvested from the patient before chemotherapy or radiation is autologous. Allogeneic bone marrow is from a donor and requires a genetic match to the patient.
